Monday, October 27, 2014

October is waning fast now . I kept waiting for someone to write or publish something on Raaj Kumar Born Kulbushan Pandit( 6th October 1926 -3rd July 1996 ).Nothing appeared . No one remembers his inimitable dialogue delivery style with stylish emphasis on words “HUM “ and “ JAANI “.

Undoubtedly , he was the emperor of a style in dialogue delivery that became quite popular and caught the fancy of cinegoers of his age.

He was not the usual handsome hero , Not tall either and totally ignorant of the present day much needed foot tapping or dancing skills. Inspite of all these drawbacks , he had a unique style of presenting himself in his films. In WAQT he makes an impressive appearance ; walking confident steps while playing with his key ring , picturized superbly with Sahir’s song “Kaun Aaya Ki Nigaahon Mein chamak Jaag Uthi “ in background. Songs like “ Chhu leinay do naazuk honthon ko “ totally matched with the aura of his style when picturized . I vividly remember how remarkably he presented himself in picturization of the song “Kiss tarah jeetein hain yeh log Bataa do Yaaron “ penned by Rajindra Krishen for NAI ROSHINI .

During my recent visit to Mumbai ,I was shown the house at WORLI SEAFACE where he and his family lived . I saw the police station at MAHIM in Mumbai where he had served as Sub inspector sometime in 1950. I also came to know that he had sought senior actor D K SAPRU’s help to locate some kashmiri Pandit who could prepare the Horoscope and then suggest some good name for his Anglo Indian Wife Jennifer ( former Air Hostess whom he married in 1960 ) whom he Finally named “GAYATRI “. I also learnt that apart from various books in his personal library , he would proudly display Kalhana’s “ Rajataringini ”.

A lover of Ghalib’s poetry , Raj Kumar had a mastery over written and spoken Urdu . He equally loved reading Hindi and English writers . He Was a regular subscriber to READERS DIGEST and NATIONAL GEOGRAPHIC MAGAZINE which habit he passed on to his children as well..

A KASHMIRI AT HEART

Raj Kumar belonged to a kashmiri Pandit family that had moved to Balochistan many years before partition of the country on account of employment of his father .He had his initial schooling at Loralai in Balochistan.

In Mumbai , I also came to know that he Would speak a good number of kashmiri words like CHAAMAN ( Paneer ), ORZU ( Good Health ), VAARAI CHHIVA ( Are you fine ) and would often make an attempt to speak complete sentences in somewhat broken kashmiri .

Kashmir always remained close to his heart . He would often send his family to kashmir during summer holidays (every year upto 1987 ) joining them as and when he could be free from his shooting schedules. The family was seen many times at Gulmarg and Pahalgham staying in huts and enjoying Horse riding , trekking and evening strolls . Once he visited his ancestral village in kashmir and traced his distant relatives . He maintained contact with a few amongst his ancestral clan even at the high point of his film career though he himself never grew up in kashmir valley.

Raj kumar was first cousin to writer Surendra Kaul and consequently uncle to Director Pawan kaul ( Surendra’s son )

selecting the names of his children. He selected these names from some epics and ancient texts. For example PURU ( his son ) is named after the great Puranic King PURU who is believed to be the ancestor of PANDAVAS. PURU also finds mention in Mahabharata and RigVeda . His another son is named after the Great sanskrit Grammarian and ancient scholar from GANDHARA known as PANINI. Panini is reported to have visited kashmir , a place that finds mention in his master work “ASHTADHYAYI “ .

Never before him and never after him have cinegoers witnessed the exceptional poise , exclusive acting style and unique dialogue delivery that “JAANI “brought to Indian films . Battling cancer ,he finally breathed his last on 3rd July 1996 at a not so advanced age of 69 years .

Sunday, October 19, 2014

Santorini is one of Greece’s most beautiful
islands. It is known for its exceptionally dramatic views and the old-fashioned
town of Thira. Not only the exceptional sunset views, Moonlight is also a special attraction for Tourists going to Santorini. For its dazzling moonlight, santorini is also known as Moon land.

To these photographs , i add lines from a long poem of Urdu poet Ali sardar jafri...

Surely you may not be familiar with this name. Those
who are, may not have adequate knowledge about his contribution and background.

He was Chairman cum
Managing Director the first Swadeshi Bank known presently as Punjab National
Bank. Before that he was chairman of State Trading Corporation and First Indian
Chairman of Unilever ( Hindustan Lever Ltd. ). He made HLL truly Indian not
only in name but also in spirit. There was a genuine realisation in London, and
a sense of pride in Bombay that Indians could manage the company. He was also
on the Board of Directors of Food Corporation of India ,Hindustan Steel ,
Hindustan Aeronautics and Reserve Bank Of India .

He also taught at
universities in Berkeley , Boston, California , Chandigarh , Delhi and
Ahmedabad. He happened to be a founding Director of IIM Ahemdabad . Once while
addressing the IIM faculty he said

“The essence of
management is the ability to sort out the relevant from the irrelevant. If you
have to plough through reams of case material and exhibits for tomorrow's
classes, you must train yourself to read selectively and fast - take what is
strictly worth remembering, and discard the rest.”

Wherever he served ,
he left his imprints . He brought freshness, efficiency and unique
organizational culture in many organizations which he entered in any capacity .
As individual , he lived a simple life and lived in his
own DDA
flat at Vasant Kunj. He would be often seen
driving his own Fiat Car .

I need to say
something more about this Gem of a man ..

Born in 1911 to a
wealthy Punjabi family , Prakash Tandon graduated from Govt college Lahore as
science student but suddenly shifted to Commerce, went to UK and returned as
qualified Chartered accountant in 1937.

While Prakash Tandon
was proud of his Punjabi heritage, he never promoted Punjabis. His closest associates in the Hindustan Lever
Ltd. were Maurice Zinkin, a Britisher, and R. Ramaswamy, a Tamil Brahmin. His preferred
successor was Vasant Rajadhyakshya, a Maharashtrian. He applied this principle
to all other organizations that he headed. The success story of of DALDA (Hydrogenated vegetable oil which became a cheap
substitute for Ghee in the Indian Kitchen ) was solely scripted by Parakash Tandon due to his innovative marketing skills infused in Hundustan Lever Limited .

He revolutionized the
Financial sector In India especially Banking by his Guidelines that came to be
known as Tandon Norms . These fundamental Guidelines on Working Capital finance
together with a scientific Methodology for working out credit requirements of
Industrial enterprises have been put to use by every Financial institution in
the country . Most of my friends in the Banking sector must be familiar with
his Methods of lending based on Current Assets , Margin and well defined
Holding Norms for Raw material , Stocks in process , Finished goods and
receivables . Industries and Banking sector in India remain indebted to this
genius for these basic Guidelines on Working Capital Finance . He was a pioneer
in management education in India.

A lover of fine Arts
, Prakash Tandon was a connoisseur of Urdu Poetry , Ancient History , Music and
classical Literature . It was always a real treat to listen to him on any
subject under the sun. His ideas were original and innovative and he would
speak for hours extempore . The three books authored by him which comprise his
autobiography – Punjabi Century , Beyond Punjab and return to Punjab – are
regarded as Modern Classics . These Books have been published by Penguins as
Punjabi Saga .

His book BANKING
CENTURY , published by Penguins in 1989 is an interesting story about a Public
sector Giant known as Punjab National Bank . A story about how the idea to
start a swadeshi Bank at Anarkali lahore was conceived and given practical
shape in 1895 by three Gentlemen ( Sardar Dayal Singh MajIthia , Babu Kali
Prasun Roy and E C Jesswala . A sikh , A Hindu and a Parsi ; All the three were
followers of Bengal’s Brahmo Samaj ) highly motivated by a Nationalist leader
lala Lajpat Rai. It is a grand story of
three dreamers who could have little
realized that a two room office at Anarkali Lahore would finally
grow into a National Bank with
more than 6500 branches spreading from Leh to Kanyakumari and Kohima to
Kathiawar . He worked as Chairman cum Managing director of the bank for three
years and inducted more than 1000 young Management Trainees who rose to become
Executive Directors and Managing Directors of various Banks in the country.

Half of this Book
takes the reader on a journey through Babylonian , Roman, Greek , Chinese ,
Egyptian , Persian , Arab and Indian Civilization examining the evolution of
finance and Trade in these cultures .The Book also explains interestingly how
Finance and trade evolved itself in Ancient and medieval india through Hundis
and traditional sahukaars . The story of Seths , Multanis , Marwaris , Banias ,
Nattukottai Chettis , Chettiars , Nagar Seths ( City Bankers ) finally settles
down at Birlas , Tatas , Goenkas , Jains etc. In between You also come to know
that founding families of Levers , Krupps , Duponts, Dunlops , Bayers , Lavals
, Thomsons and Marellis have disappeared while much of the Indian Industry is
still managed and controlled by families who , often owning a fraction of
equity wield total power and control.

You are also updated
about the Arya samaj movement of Punjab , Brahmo Samaj Movement of Bengal
,Tribune Newspaper in its formative years , Lahore The Grand city of Punjab ,
Darshani ( Payable on demand ) and Dekhanhar ( payable at sight ) Hundi syetem
in indian Trade and commerce , The East India company , Mughals , Maharaja Ranjit
singh’s rule , The sikh Misels ,Zamindari and Jagirdari system in India ,Indian
Railways , Irrigation canals in Punjab , Barter system in Indian Trade ,
Journey of Currency from Metal Coins to paper Notes in india , Post War
Economic Recessions in the world , Arrival of Post offices in India , Partition
of the country with rebirth of Indian economy , Nehruvian Industrial and
economic policies , Social control and Nationalization and the final phase
known as financial Sector reforms.

From this book I came
to know that Mahmud of Gazni , who invaded India 14 times had issued gold coins
in 1007 AD each weighing 180 grains and bearing Kalima and the name of Khalifa
Al Qadir B’Illah , on whose behalf he conducted the wars and invasions . In
india , he did something unique in history ; he issued coins with sanskratized
Kalima ; “ Ayyaktamekam Muhammad Avatara samvati 418 Mahmudpur “ followed by
the name of the issuer , Nripati Mahmud with a motif of Hindu Deity . He had
renamed Lahore as Mahmudpur .

From this book I also
came to know that from Kings to common man , every person would borrow from
Nagar Seths and discharge Hundis . Prakash Tandon informs that during the Sepoy
uprising of 1857, Seth Amirchand of Bikaner and Seth Mool Chand of of Ajmer
financed British Government .Bhama Shah , the oswal Banker , financed the
maintenance of 25000 men of Rana Partap for many years to enable him to carry
on his wars against Akbar .

The house of Jagat
Seth were hereditary Bankers to Nawabs of Bengal. Jagat seth was instrumental
in the overthrow of Nawab Siraj Ud Daula and setting up of Mir jaffar as Nawab
. When Mir Kasim became the New Nawab of Bengal , he ordered Jagat Seth to be
thrown into Ganga from the Bastions of Monghyr Fort.

About this book Prof
A M khusro adds

“ In the history of
Money and Finance , there are few works which claim greater depth , erudition
and elegance than ( this ) fascinating Book “

About Parakash Tandon
, Dr Ashok Ganguli Former Chairman HLL adds ..

"He established
standards and norms for corporate conduct, governance and social conduct that
have now become popular and fashionable around the world."

Some quotes of
Prakash Tandon that come to my mind are ..

“ Room at the top is
always Vacant ”

“ Recruitment ,
training and cadres must be built on continuous basis in any organization .
Overlooking this may land any organization into Managerial Crisis. ”

“ Greatest tasks have
been performed by men using simple Common sense “

“Managers are
functional entities and not Bureaucrats . They have to keep their doors open .”

“ Age plays a key
role in the process of taking a decision .Beyond a certain age, managers tend
to tread the safe and secured path. Quite often , their movement along these
paths may prove disastrous for the organization.”

I conclude this post
with some lines from “Naya Aahang “ a beautiful poem composed by well known
modern urdu Nazm poet late Akhtar Ul Imaan …

Not many people know that Naushad Ali ( popularly known as NAUSHAD in Hindi film World) was also an accomplished urdu poet.He published a book of Urdu poetry titled " Aathwaan Sur "("The Eighth Note").I quote his couplets........

Monday, October 13, 2014

His father died when he was barely three years old. He had twenty two brothers and a sister . His mother died when he was born. So Omkar Nath Dhar ( 24th October 1915 -- 10th June 1987 ) who came to be known as Jeevan in films , was brought up by uncles and Aunts. He had his early education in Srinagar and Lahore.

Jeevan's father Durga Prasad Dhar was Wazir e Wazarat of Gilgit during the rule of Maharaja Partap Singh . His family had Business interests at Srinagar, Pahalgham and Lahore . His mother Champa Devi was from a well off Sapru family and daughter of Rai Bahadur Jai Krishen Sapru . And jeevan had married kishen ( Kishni ) a kashmiri Pandit Girl from Razdan family.

Fascinated by films and photography coupled with a long college vacation of three months in Srinagar , he decided to go to Bombay for some time for a change . With just twenty six rupees in his pocket, this young boy of 18 years arrived in Bombay to learn Photography so that once back home, he could help his family in that business . Incidentally , his elder brother known as Dhar Kashmiri lived in Bombay at that point of time who introduced him to Late D N Madhok ( 1902-1982) . DN Madhok was a reputed Lyricist , screen Play writer , Director and Dialogue writer of Hindi cinema . Dhar Kashmiri wanted his young brother to try for some acting roles in Hindi Films.It was D N Madhok's intervention that paved way for his joining a film studio Owned by Mohan Sinha . For some time Nothing happened that could change his luck. He got no chance to learn Photography nor did any person offer any role to him. He was constrained to work as Reflector Boy . His job was to carry the light reflectors and focus them as per the direction of the cameraman / Director. He saw Diwaker Divecha( Highly skilled cameraman of Sholay fame ) also working as Reflector boy. And then sometime in 1935 , Mohan Sinha offered him a role in his film “Fashionable India “ and thereafter there was no looking back for this talented artist. Offers kept pouring in from many reputed film makers. Some of his memorable films are Kanoon, Mela , Taraana , Ghar Ki Izzat , Sab se Bada Rupaiyaa , Dil Ne Phir Yaad Kiya ,Roti, Jeet , Laawaris , Do Phool , Phool Aur Pather , Gambler , Shareef Badmaash , Aaj Ka Mahatma ,Deewar,Amar Akbar Anthony,Johny Mera Naam,Kohinoor,Dharmatma, Taj and Bulundi etc. He acted in more than 350 films and as NARAD MUNI in more than 60 films

.

Jeevan played villain in a large number of Hindi films during the 60s and 70s. His unique nasal twang , Body language and dialogue delivery placed him in the category of elite artists of Hindi cinema . Almost all his negative roles ( performed in his inimitable style ) as Cunning Munim or Lala , Deewan sahib ,Mamaji , Village Sarpanch, Landlord etc. were widely appreciated by cinegoers .

As artist , he was extremely Punctual and discplined . Essentially a family man , he was a close relation of another kashmiri artists D. K Sapru or Sapru. Infact for quite some time , both families lived as neighbours at Bandra .

He was devoted to his family , a loving husband and an affectionate and liberal father . His children studied in Boarding schools . His son Kiran Kumar graduated from FTII Pune and joined films . Kiran married Noted Gujrati Actress Sushma Verma . His second son Bushan kumar ( Jeevan Bushan ) also joined films .

Jeevan liked good food and enjoyed his quota of two pegs of whiskey ( One large and another small ) everyday. He Liked kashmiri Kahwa which he would prepare for his wife and children as well.

He loved cooking his own food and going on picnics and hunting expeditions with his family and friends . Kashmir remained his first love though his engagements in Bombay left little time for him to make desired trips to the place of his birth.

Tuesday, October 7, 2014

Chikki is a popular Indian sweet made basically from jaggery Syrup ( having Minimum water content ) and Ground nut . In Punjab , ordinary Chikki is known as PATTI. Chikkis are popular in many Asian countries including Pakistan , Bangal Desh and Nepal. It is also a popular sweet or tradittional candy of some latin American countries especially Brazil.

A variety of chikkis are made in Maharashtra especially Lonawala, Khandala , Mahabaleshwar and Pune using almonds , cashewnuts , coconut, Dried Rose petals , Pistachios and flavours .I was informed that MAGAN LAL (A Gujrati Trader )introduced innovated form of Chikkis in Khandala and Lonawala area . This is precisely the reason that most Chikki shops in Lonawala bear his name .I tried Chikki in Mumbai, Khandala and Lonawala. To me Lonawala Chikki is perhaps the best . My choice would be the crispy Rose Kaju chikki sold @ Rs600 per kg.

Next time you plan a visit to Lonawala or Mahabaleshewar , just taste a piece of Rose kaju chikki …..

In their poetic compositions, Almost all Urdu poets have focused on the natural beauty of kashmir . They have written about its Water falls , rivers , seasons , gardens , flowers , Lakes , fruits , Tress and other objets that please the naked eye. A few of them were also moved by the poverty and living conditions of the inhabitants of this beautiful valley . And Makhdoom is one such poet .

Makhdoom visited kashmir possibly thrice . His last visit was during the summer season of 1969 . After his first visit to kashmir , Makhdoom Mohi Ud Din wrote a matchless Blank verse ..I add the poem to his photograph…..

SUNSET NEAR SANTORINI IN GREECE ..( All Photographs by Sandeep Mota September 2014 )

As the evening sun drowns itself in the sea water near Santorini , Cameras click all along the hill cottages .Tourists visit this place to see a new township created over ancient volcanic eruptions and more specifically the Sunset from hills around the sea .All the buildings of this small town with a population of about 15000 souls are white in colour . Tastefully white washed .

Hotels remain packed to capacity . Santorini is visited by tourists from all over the world who come to Greece .The place is emerging as a favourite Honeymoon Destination for young married couples.

Visitors come to see Santorini’s Deep blue waters and beaches with white, red or black sand or volcanic pebbles. Exceptional quality wines produced from Grapes grown in Volcanic ash soil ,Fantastic Rock formations around the sea and bewitching lunar landscapes are also major tourist attractions of Santorini .

Some islands in the southern Aegean sea make up SANTORINI ‘s Municipal area .The islands are Santorini, Therasia , Nea Kameni, Palaia Kameni, Aspronisi, and Christiana. Santorini and Therasia are inhabited while the rest islands are uninhabited. Santorini has a Climate that is closer to Hot Desert type with two main seasons ; April to October is the warm and dry season and the cold and rainy season lasts from November to March.

There are no rivers and accordingly water is scarce commodity in this area .The soil is full of volcanic ash and suitable for selective crops . Santorini got its independence from the Ottomon rule in 1821 and became a part of Greece in 1830.

Some excavations have established the area as a prominent site of ancient MINOAN civilization . Possibly a major volcanic eruption during MINOAN period wiped away this grand civilization from this area .

Santorini was also a part of ancient Egyptian , Greek and Roman Empires.

To reach santorini from Athens , one can use many modes of transport. A ferry ride is equally enjoyable. Ferries run four to five times a day and take about 4 hours . Online advance bookings are usually done by tourists for this ferry ride.Restaurants, cafes, bars and Decks are available for any class of Travel in a Ferry.

On Economic front ,Greece is struggling to come out of its gloomy position created by high External Debt , High Taxation , Dependence on Subsidy support from European union, Recession , Unemployment and Stagnant Labour Market .At the moment and Tourism is the backbone of the economy.

Eastern Orthodox Christianity is recognized as the "prevailing religion" in Greece.